By the end of today,

one should be able to….

• Isolate textual evidence to support a literary
theory
• Read critically for relevant textual evidence

1
 Learning Standards
• Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to
support analysis of what the text says
explicitly as well as inferences drawn from
the text, including determining where the
text leaves matters uncertain.
• Integrate and evaluate information presented
in diverse media and formats, including
visually, quantitatively, and orally.

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Mind Spark* January 7, 2018

According to what we have learned about

Freud so far, what do you think the role of the
subconscious is and how does it influence
human desires and actions?

Turn and Talk with your partner about your response. 

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Ms. Cykiert January 7, 2019

Aim:
How can the application of psychoanalytical theory provide a critical
approach for reading Lord of the Flies?

VOCABULARY REVIEW:
Human Condition
Setting
Characterization
Symbolism
Theme
Critical Lens
Literary Theory

HW: Make sure you have read chapter 5!  COMPLETE LOCATING

EVIDENCE WITHIN CHAPTER 4 IN RELATION TO PSYCHOANALYIC THEORY
USING FREUD’S THEORY OF PERSONALITY.
 Turn & Talk

How can asking the right questions help you apply a

literary theory?

For example, gender theory asks:

• How is gender represented/ constructed in this text?
• What are the text's assumptions regarding gender?
• What are the images of women/ men in the text
(especially images of women in texts by men)?

Turn and Talk with your partner about your response. 

5
 MINI LESSON REVIEW:
Literary Theory/ Lens
What is it? Literary theories were developed as a means to
understand the various ways in which people read texts.
The proponents of each theory believe that their theory is
the theory, but most of us interpret texts according the
“rules” of several different theories at one time. All literary
theories are lenses through which we can see texts.
– A lens is a way we can approach a work of
literature.
– By applying a lens to a work, we can analyze it
from a particular perspective.
– We will be trying on a variety of theories today to
better understand their purpose. This will prepare
us to read Lord of the Flies critically and
understand literature’s application in today’s
world.
Aim
How can the application of psychoanalytical theory provide a critical approach for reading
Lord of the Flies?
 How Literary Theory is Applied

Aim
How can the application of psychoanalytical theory provide a critical approach for reading Lord of the7Flies?
 Example of how theory deepens our understanding
and the meaning of literature:
Example of Ms. Pahis applying theory to Of Mice and Men:
QUOTE THEORIES/LENS THAT ANALYSIS OF HOW SOCIAL-CLASS, RACE AND GENDER
(TEXTUAL EVIDENCE) CAN BE APPLIED EXPECTATIONS ARE BEING CHALLENGED
Critical race, gender Steinbeck is illustrating the irony that exists for a man like
and social class lens Crooks. Because Crooks is black and there is an unspoken
can all be applied rule about racial segregation, he is able to have his own
“For being alone, Crooks
to the passage. space on the ranch along with his privacy. He also has the
could leave his things
ability to sustain his position on the ranch more than other
about, and being a stable men, unlike Candy who is exhibiting great concern over
back and a cripple, he was being fired soon. This touches upon social class theory,
more permanent than the since Crooks not only has job security, but more material
other men, and he had possessions than the other characters. Crooks is also a
accumulated more man, which allows him the luxury of privacy and being
employed--a luxury not extended to women at the time.
possessions than he could
Steinbeck is providing a character that would not be seen
carry on his back.” (p. 67)
as having any power in society with a great amount of
power, in an ironic way within the novella, and this results
in humanizing the black population.

Aim
How can the application of psychoanalytical theory provide a critical approach for reading
Lord of the Flies?
 Psychological/Psychoanalytic Theory

• Psychological and Psychoanalytic Criticism:

• This theory requires that we investigate the psychology of

a character or an author to figure out the meaning of a
text (although to apply an author's psychology to a text
can also be considered biographical criticism, depending
on your point of view). For example, alcohol allows the
latent thoughts and desires of the narrator of "The Black
Cat" to surface in such a way that he ends up shirking the
self-control imposed by social mores and standards and
becomes the man his psyche has repressed his whole life.

Aim
How can the application of psychoanalytical theory provide a critical approach for reading
Lord of the Flies? 9
 Introduction to Freud’s
Theory of Personality

Aim
How can the application of psychoanalytical theory provide a critical approach for reading
Lord of the Flies? 10
 Who was Sigmund Freud?
• Born 1856-1939
• Sigmund Freud was an Austrian
neurologist and the founder of
psychoanalysis, a system of
psychological theory and
therapy investigating the
interaction of conscious and
unconscious elements in the
mind.
• Authored many books on the
topic and was one of the most
influential thinkers of his time.

Aim
How can the application of psychoanalytical theory provide a critical approach for reading Lord of the Flies?
 Freud’s Influence
• “Freudian slips” (the subconscious coming out when you least expect it!)
– During a televised speech on education, Senator Ted Kennedy meant to say that
"Our national interest ought to be to encourage the best and brightest." Instead,
Kennedy accidentally said breast - his hands even cupping the air as he said the
word. While he quickly corrected his gaffe and continued, the slip of the tongue
seemed revealing considering his hand gestures and the family's reputation for
womanizing.

• defense mechanisms
– Denial, Regression, Projecting, etc.

• importance of childhood experiences

• oedipal complex

• repression

Aim
How can the application of psychoanalytical theory provide a critical approach for reading Lord of the Flies?
 Freud’s “Theory of Personality”
• States that the personality or human psyche is divided into
three sections: the Id, Ego, and Super Ego
• These three coexist and interact with each other based on
instincts (which must be tamed by civilization)
• Id is entirely in the unconscious
• Ego and superego exist in the conscious, pre-conscious, and
unconscious
– Freud compared the relationship between the ego and the id to that
between a charioteer and his horses: the horses provide the energy
and drive, while the charioteer provides direction.

Aim
How can the application of psychoanalytical theory provide a critical approach for reading Lord of the Flies?
 Iceberg Metaphor
“The mind is like an iceberg, it
floats with one-seventh of its bulk
above water.”

Aim
How can the application of
psychoanalytical theory provide a
critical approach for reading Lord of
the Flies?
 The id
• Present from birth
• Allows us to get our basic needs met.
• Believed to be the primary component of a personality
• Contains ALL primitive needs and urges
• Based on the pleasure principle: the id wants whatever feels
good at the time, with no consideration for the reality of the
situation or the social norms for the situation.
• Strives for immediate gratification of all desires, wants and
needs.
• Example:
– If a child is hungry, needs to be changed, in pain, hot, cold,
needs attention, etc. it cries until its needs are met.
 The superego
• Starts to develop around the age of five and is the last
part of the personality to develop
• Superego is the moral part of our personality-where
internalized moral standards lie
• Also equated to conscience; it dictates our belief of right
and wrong
• Acquired from both parents, caregivers and society.
• Provides guidelines for making judgments
• Strives to suppress some of the unacceptable or immoral
urges of the Id
• Tries to have a person follow a certain set of ethical standards
 Parts of the superego
• The Ego Ideal
– Contains standards for “good” behavior
– These are often learned
– If one follows these standards, the superego will
have them feel emotions like pride and honor
– Holds an image of an ideal self
• The Conscience
– Contains rules for what is “bad” behavior
– If one indulges in this behavior, the conscience will
make them feel emotions such as guilt and
remorse/regret
 The ego
• As a child interacts with the world, the second part of personality develops:
the ego
• Based on the reality principle
– confrontation between desire and reality
– Mediates betw4een the Id and the Superego
• Ego understands that it is not always possible to have our needs met
immediately.
• Ego understands that being selfish or impulsive can hurt us in the long run.
• The ego’s job is to meet the needs of the id while taking into consideration
the reality of the situation. In other words, it tries to express the desires of the
Id in a socially acceptable manner.
• Freud theorized that the key to a healthy personality is a good ego strength
– Ego strength – how well one’s ego can moderate between the Id and Superego
(like coping skills)
 Aim
How can the application of psychoanalytical
theory provide a critical approach for reading
Lord of the Flies?
 In relation to Lord of the Flies
• Many have argued that the characters in this
book represent the breakdown of Freud’s
three personality components.

• What do you think so far? You’ll be taking a

close look at this as you complete a Freudian
analysis.

Aim
How can the application of psychoanalytical theory provide a critical approach for reading Lord of the Flies?
Uncovering Depth via Theory

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 ACTIVITY:
INDEPENDENT APPLICATION OF
PSYCHOANALYTICAL THEORY
On the CHAPTER 4 packets:
Using three colored markers, isolate evidence
that supports Freudian psychoanalytical theory
for the id, superego, and ego.
In addition, for every piece of evidence write a
meaningful comment or level 2/3 question. Your
annotations need to be strong and purposeful.

Aim
How can the application of psychoanalytical theory provide a critical approach for reading Lord of the22Flies?
 Ms. Cykiert’s Example
“Roger gathered a handful of stones and began to throw them.
Yet there was a space round Henry, perhaps six yards in
diameter, into which he dare not throw. Here, invisible yet
strong, was the taboo of the old life. Round the squatting child
was the protection of parents and school and policemen and the
law. Roger's arm was conditioned by a civilization that knew
nothing of him and was in ruins.”

This is indicative of Roger’s ego.

Meaningful comment/ question: The only reason why Roger is
withholding from hitting Henry is because of society’s conditioning. His
id wants to hit Roger, but society has taught him that is not acceptable,
which is why he compromises and throws the stones around Henry,
highlighting the ego’s balance.

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 ACTIVITY:
PAIR SHARE (Time Permitting)
With your partner, share TWO pieces of
evidence that support either the id, ego, or
superego and explain how that provides a
deeper understanding of the character and
overall themes of the novel.

Aim
How can the application of psychoanalytical theory provide a critical approach for reading Lord of the24Flies?
 ACTIVITY: (Day2)
Applying Psychoanalytical Theory to LotF
You will choose ONE characters that you
wish to draw a mask for and write an
analysis using the psychoanalytical lens.
The analysis should include TWO pieces of
textual evidence and should be a well-
developed paragraph that reflects the
literary theory.

Today in class you will be working on your

analysis. If you happen to complete it in
class with time to spare, you may begin
working on your character’s mask.

This will count as a project and is due

tomorrow, Dec. 22nd 
Aim
How can the application of psychoanalytical theory provide a critical approach for reading Lord of the25Flies?
 Ms. Cykiert’s Example of Applying Freud’s Theory to Literature
Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet epitomizes teenage desire and angst. When approaching
the text through a psychoanalytical lens, particularly via Freud’s “Theory of Personality,” it
becomes clear that both Romeo and Juliet are at odds with their desires and society’s
expectations. Romeo and Juliet’s egos are at first attempting to rationalize their feelings
with what their community (society) has deemed appropriate and acceptable. Upon
learning that Romeo is a Montague, Juliet explains, “My only love sprung from my only
hate.” Juliet’s superego, particularly her conscience, is evoking feelings of guilt and
wrongdoing, despite her carnal desire to be with Romeo. The expectations that Verona’s
seventeenth century society imparts on its citizens makes the two adolescent protagonists
struggle with the development of their egos to the extent that it costs them their lives.
Being that adolescence is a time when the external world brings forth many challenges, a
young person’s development of the superego needs to internalize society’s dictates, but
the individual also needs to develop an ego that can balance both the id and superego’s
demands. Romeo’s impulsive adolescent behavior, guided by his id, is evident when
Balthasar states, “Your looks are pale and wild and do import some misadventure.” This
foreshadows Romeo succumbing to his impulsivity by making the rash decision to kill
himself at the end of the play. Unfortunately for Romeo and Juliet, their attempt of
developing strong egos that maintain a healthy equilibrium between id and superego was
to no avail due to both characters’ ids (especially Romeo’s) dominating over their egos.
Aim
How can the application of psychoanalytical theory provide a critical approach for reading Lord of the26Flies?
 Exit/Summary – To Hand in
On a separate sheet of paper,
respond to the following question:

How does literary theory deepen our understanding of a text?

How does it add a different perspective on how to approach a
literary work?
Aim: How can we isolate textual evidence that supports the themes of group mentality and power
within Lord of the Flies?

Extra credit if you can use one of the vocabulary words we learned today!
Make sure your name is written so you can receive credit.

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Make sure you have read chapter 5! 
COMPLETE LOCATING EVIDENCE WITHIN CHAPTER 4
IN RELATION TO PSYCHOANALYIC THEORY USING
FREUD’S THEORY OF PERSONALITY.

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 In relation to Lord of the Flies
• The boys lose touch with the rules and order
associated with civilization.
• It can be seen how, as a whole, the boys begin
to abandon all reason.
• They begin to act on the id of their
personalities more than the ego and the
superego.
• Start to indulge in acts like brutal killings….
Aim
How can the application of psychoanalytical theory provide a critical approach for reading Lord of the Flies?